A migrante's life

MANILA, Philippines - Finding greener pastures in foreign lands has become a cultural norm for Juan dela Cruz. The road could be smooth or rough. It may be the road most traveled but the journey is not as sweet as honey as many can attest to it.

Director Joel Lamangan’s latest drama Migrante (The Filipino Diaspora) tries to capture the “dangerous life” Filipinos are lured to take for their loved ones. The movie is Social Realism 101.    

“(Frida played by Jodi Sta. Maria) disappears and I look for her,” says Allen Dizon of the movie plot. “It appears to me that she doesn’t want to go back to the Philippines. My character, Andy, has no idea that she was raped. It’s only when we meet again for the second time in Israel when I found out the truth.”

The truth is, 4,500 Filipinos leave the Philippines annually for well-paying jobs abroad, according to Migrante. There are almost 40,000 OFWs in Israel who work as professionals and domestic helpers. Israel, an important place for Christians, Muslims and Jews, has witnessed the Pinoy diaspora and is the setting of Frida and Andy’s story.   

“I’m not (playing) the good husband (character in the beginning of the movie),” shares Allen of his character, who was once an OFW in Taiwan. “I’m into gambling and (I have another woman). I drive a van. My earning is not enough to make both ends meet for my family. My daughter is sick. Thus, Frida has decided to work abroad.”

Poverty and unemployment seem to be the culprit of having more OFWs in our midst as the movie implies. One can easily relate to Migrante because almost every Filipino family has relatives either working in Singapore or Saudi Arabia, whether an aunt or uncle in Italy or Indonesia, or a grandparent in the US, Australia or Canada.

Allen with Jodi and director Joel Lamangan

“Most of my family members work abroad,” says Allen. “Even my friends do. I can relate to the story. I’m a family man. So I think it’s difficult to be away from your kids and your wife. When one is working abroad, both wife and husband make sacrifices. It seems that (working abroad) is a matter of choice. You will earn a lot but you won’t see your kids grow up (and you won’t be around to witness the milestones in their lives). Since (you are an absent parent), they barely know you and vice versa. There’s this possibility that you’ll get separated from your partner or you’ll find another love abroad or she will have another affair here. It’s a tough life.”

What makes OFWs’ life more challenging is when the job their Manila employment agency has promised is not the one waiting for them in their work destination. It is even worse for Frida because her Jordanian employer plans to sexual abuse her. Worst-case scenarios like this challenge the functions of Philippine embassies worldwide and the foreign policies of the government to protect OFWs from work-related abuses. For many years, it has been a cycle to hear stories like that of Frida and Andy’s. This is true because it has become a cycle, too, to educate Filipinos to become Overseas workers.  

“If I were not an actor, I would also go abroad,” says Allen given the country’s present economic situation. “It is what many think as a solution to earn enough for their families. I will not allow my wife to try her luck in another country, but I will go instead.”

Doing Andy on the big screen is another unforgettable performance for Allen after Dukot, Sigwa, Patikul and Deadline. He says it is a conscious effort on his part to get involved in movie projects like Migrante. His previous films speak about judicial killings, martial law, literacy and the reign of impunity. Showbiz watchers have seen how Allen has reinvented himself from being a sexy actor to a dramatic actor. His hard work and dedication have paid off by receiving industry awards. Allen is one of those actors who can cross over from movies to TV.

“I’m comfortable being a movie actor,” he says. “But I also enjoy doing soaps. On TV, I base (my acting) on my role. In the movies, I study my character and also the other characters. I do my own research. I study every scene and sequence (contemplating) what I will do in it.”

How was the trip to Israel?

“It felt good to go to Israel,” replies Allen. “We are all Christians (and it’s nice) to visit Bethlehem where Jesus Christ (was born). I intend to go back there again. We went to Jerusalem, the Damascus Gate where Jesus walked through, Via Dolorosa and the Dead Sea.”

(Migrante: The Filipino Diaspora will have its premiere on July 15 at the Robinsons Galleria Cinema 5 with screenings at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. The premiere is presented by International Gluta-C Intensive Whitening, Feta Traveling Agency, Clixters, Villar Foundation, Ellen’s Aesthetic Center, Posh Nail (Ali Mall branch), Good Times KTV, Pergola Restaurant and Bar, Barangay LS FM, DZBB 594 Super Radyo, Francis M Clothing Company, Magnolia Chicken, Fernando’s Bakery and Touch of Grace SPA.)